Clarity

Hot Octopus

Member
In my personal tone hunt, clarity has been the name of the game for me. Currently, my favourite duncan PU is the Demon. I have it in the bridge of a Charvel Star and it sounds killer most times. However, sometimes, I wish it had a little more output for single note runs.

And I've also been getting more and more into single coil PU's. They have great clarity in the bridge, but can sound thin on single note runs and sometimes harsh. However, find the right single coil pickup and there can be magic!

1) What single coil PU's are in the same vein as the Demon? What SC's work well with gain, but don't sound harsh. 2) Does the Custom shop offer anything similar to the demon while retaining it's characteristics and adding more oomph? 3) Could the custom shop mount a Lil' Screamin Demon and a single coil on the same base plate, so I could switch between the demon and a SC?
 
Re: Clarity

full shred has lots of the demon characteristics but with more output and fullness on single note lines. as far as a single coil... single coils sense less of the string and can either be a fairly clear or a little muddy due to trying to get certain things out of that style pup. personally i think the cool rails is a very clear sounding single coil bucker but it wont sound all that much like the sd for a variety of reasons. the custom shop can do almost anything you want
 
Re: Clarity

Why not just use a clean boost of some kind for leads?

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Re: Clarity

Why not just use a clean boost of some kind for leads?


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I've thought about doing some kind of onboard boost like the EMG thingamajig.


And I have the Tyler variax s/s/s/ strat that I play the crap out of. I actually really like the stock pups. I don't know what they are, but they're pretty nice. I'm just starting to really get into the SC sound. There's so much I can do with it. I've tried the Dimarzio injector, which was OK, the Area 67 is better. HS2 is ok. I have the Texas antiquity in another charvel and its great for edge of breakup but not what I'm looking for for leads. interesting none the less. the STK1 is in yet another charvel and it works- as in i have no reason to change it, but its not really inspiring to play.
 
Re: Clarity

Don't forget, you can also get a Blackouts preamp for your guitar, which will give you power, clarity and active EQ while keeping passive pickups.


But from my understanding, that will give me more of the tone of a blackout, which isn't my bag. I like the demon. With the right amp, its a great PU. And in My charvel star, its magical! I'm just seeking to improve an already cool PU and making it sound like a blackout isn't on the agenda.
 
Re: Clarity

What Demaniac said: get a boost pedal, step it on ONLY when playing some single note solo stuff. You get the sound you already love AND you can beef it up when only playing on one string. A lot easier than installing something in your guitar, no alteration of your sound you love, and realky quick/easy to turn on & off when desired.
 
Re: Clarity

The Demon is one of my favorite pups. It is very underrated IMO, and very poorly named.

I agree that a clean boost pedal is a good solution (the MXR Micro Amp is a great one). But you also might try putting an A8 magnet in the Demon. That will increase its output slightly and give it a bit more punch. It gives more body to single notes and retains the clarity and basic tone of the Demon. Then working the volume knob on your guitar while playing will give you everything you want.
 
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